Monthly Archives: September 2008

Snapshots

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Amy Spiegel

Brief comments on film by Amy. Some old, some new.  Domestic films and foreign too. The Darjeeling Limited – Take the most unlikely characters and place them in the most implausible circumstances. Add a dash of rapid fire dialogue and … Continue reading →

Posted in Film | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

My Hate-Affair with Fairs and Festivals

Posted on September 27, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

I just completed my annual trip to the James Dean Festival with my kids, and it’s wonderful to know that I won’t have to endure it again for another 365 days.  Since we live in the midst of the darned … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Pimples

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Amy Spiegel

I have a vivid memory from my teenage years of heading to the breakfast table with a sinking feeling, dreading the approaching humiliation. I would drop into my chair, perhaps even trying to angle my face so that my dad … Continue reading →

Posted in Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Media Hypocrisy in Ethics Investigations

Posted on September 19, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

The presidential race is approaching the home-stretch now, and the media frenzy to cover every detail of the candidates’ each and every move is becoming circus-like.  But, with as much as there is on the line, I suppose this is … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations, Ethics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bumblebees, Band-Aids, and the Whitewashing of Childhood

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Amy Spiegel

I sometimes wonder if I have been blessed with the unique gift of maternal instincts. Yes, I can change a diaper at lightning speed and hit the floor running at any hour when I hear the word “Mommy!” But in … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations, Family | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Bono and Morrissey

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

Two of the stalwart acts in modern rock will release new records this February: U2 and Morrissey.  And, as usual in both cases, the pre-release hype machine is already in full-throttle months in advance.  The U2 record, to be titled … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Straddling the Aisle with Violet Beauregarde

Posted on September 9, 2008 by Amy Spiegel

I have never been terribly interested in politics. This might seem a strange confession coming from someone who graduated with a degree in political science. I am not sure what exactly drew me to the major originally, perhaps the fact … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations, Politics | Tagged , , , , | 12 Comments

Big Families and the Environment

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Jim Spiegel

As a father of four kids, I am sometimes asked whether my wife and I “intended” to have “so many” children.  They say, “I don’t want to be rude, but…”  Well, the answer is yes; we did intend to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Cultural Observations, Ethics, Film | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

I’ve Got Friends in Low Places

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Amy Spiegel

In our kitchen we have a large set of windows overlooking our quiet (when the motorcycles aren’t in season) tree-lined street. I spend a great deal of the day standing, looking out these windows, as I make the kids’ lunches, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics, Theology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment